Question

Florangel feels really stressed. Her child was up most of the night coughing. She has a major project due for her Economics course, and she is not sure if she will have enough money to pay her monthly bills. Florangel's high stress level is most due to _____. a. major life events b. daily hassles c. catastrophes d. approach-approach conflict

Short answer

Florangel's stress is most due to daily hassles.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Question

We need to identify which category of stressors is most responsible for Florangel's high stress level. Each option represents a different type of stressor.

Analyzing Major Life Events

Major life events are significant changes or transitions in life that can cause stress, such as marriage, divorce, or the death of a loved one. Florangel's stress does not seem to stem from such events.

Evaluating Daily Hassles

Daily hassles refer to the small, everyday problems like traffic, misplacing items, or minor disagreements. Florangel's stressors – a sick child, project deadlines, and financial worries – fit into this category.

Considering Catastrophes

Catastrophes are large-scale, traumatic events that impact many people, such as natural disasters or wars. These do not apply to Florangel's situation.

Understanding Approach-Approach Conflict

Approach-approach conflict involves choosing between two desirable outcomes, which is not the case with Florangel's stressors.

Identifying the Main Cause

Based on the analysis, Florangel's high stress level is most likely due to the accumulation of daily hassles.

Key concepts

Daily Hassles

Daily hassles are small, everyday challenges that many people face regularly. Think of them as the little bumps along life's journey. For Florangel, her stress originates from these daily hassles.

These can include issues like traffic jams, running late, or forgetting where you put your keys. Although they may seem insignificant individually, they can accumulate and create significant stress.

Florangel's day is a great example. She is worried about her sick child, a looming project deadline, and managing her finances. These are prime examples of daily hassles, especially because they pile up and increase her anxiety.

It’s important to realize that when daily hassles build up without resolution, stress levels rise. Everyone experiences these mundane stressors, but how we handle them affects our overall stress level. Finding effective stress management techniques can help mitigate their impact.

Major Life Events

Major life events are significant occurrences that often bring dramatic changes into one's life. These events can be both positive and negative.

Examples of major life events include getting married, having a baby, starting or losing a job, or experiencing the death of a loved one. Each of these scenarios requires substantial adjustment and can significantly impact a person's stress level.

In Florangel's case, while she is undoubtedly stressed, her stressors do not stem from such significant, life-changing events. They are more aligned with daily occurrences rather than major life transitions.

Understanding the difference between major life events and daily hassles is crucial. While major life events are less frequent, they usually require longer periods of adaptation and coping.

Stressors

Stressors are anything that causes stress. They range widely and can be anything from daily inconveniences to significant life changes.

For Florangel, multiple stressors are present, including concerns about her child’s health, her schoolwork, and finances. These stressors mostly fit into the category of daily hassles.

Stressors can be classified into different types, such as physical (like illness), environmental (such as noise), psychological (expectations and deadlines), and social (relationship issues). Each type can have a unique impact on the individual.

Identifying stressors is the first step towards managing stress effectively. Once you understand your stressors, you can develop strategies to reduce their effects. This might include managing time better, seeking support from friends and family, or practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques.